A Strumming Good Time with A Dark Elf

Whap!

 

I see stars.  I rub a knot that’s forming on my head from the prickly tree limb that’s just hit me straight away.  “Elves!  Why must they always be stowed away in some deep, dark forest,” I mutter to myself.

 

I’ve been trudging through the thick undergrowth, tall sticky cedars, and over countless fallen oak trees for six—count ‘em six—hours now.  My rune-etched boots are sap-covered, and these so called “power” mauls are useless to cut down trees!  “Hatchets are what I need now, and I’ve got only 3 for questing.”

 

It’s really been a very long day for me, and I’m about to give up when I hear the sound of some unfamiliar stringed-instrument nearby.  I notice a clearing up ahead—blessedly nearby.  As I break through the last wild Ficus trees I see my interviewee waiting for me.  I sigh when I see the comfortable chair placed next to him and settle in quickly. 

 

Dark Elf V continues to strum, and I become more and more impressed with his skill.  The song is very soothing and soon I’ve forgotten the scratches, bumps, and sap that feels as if it’s permanently affixed to my skin.

 

“What’s that thing called?” I ask a bit rudely.

 

“It’s called a lute.  I’m not only an elf, but a master luthier as well,” Dark Elf V says. “A luthier is the Latin word for lute-maker.”

“Nice,” I say.  “Tell me something else about you.”

 

As he strums what I now know is a lute, Dark Elf lists: “I am 40. Married with 5 Kids 21-3 evenly spaced. Above average IQ. Medically retired (battle injuries) airborne infantry. Luthier by trade. Pretty even success/failure rate in life.”

 

I ask, “What made KL interesting to you?  There’s no music or flying elements in it.”

 

“I first began playing KL in the middle of 2009. It was my first on-line roleplaying game. I was a Dungeons and Dragons junkie as a teen in the 80's though. I only play the storm8 games (KL is my fave) as I don't have time for/or interest in others (as of yet).”

 

“As you probably know, I am very interested in finding out about the social elements of KL.  How do you find yourself reaching out to other players?”  I ask.

 

“I post regularly on other walls and within Palringo groups with many different goals in mind. Including (but not limited to).... Hello, goodbye, congratulations, interrogations, insults, goads, info, threats and so on/so fourth.”

 

“Are there things you wouldn’t share?  Have people gotten to know you?”

 

Dark Elf V chuckles and says, “I started out using my real name (noob mistake) then changed to my Vampires Live name Vercion, Then Vercion (with a red dot).  Now I'm Dark Elf V (with a red dot). The Dark Elf V change was to further describe my characters persona.”

 

He continues, “Keeping my personal identity is somewhat of a concern as I have a family to think about.  There are safety concerns, too.  That's why I disabled the location service on PAL as well. If it were me alone I would not care at all. Nothing is completely off limits.....(except the on-line identities of my children who play and my pistol packin'/bodyguard/best friend/apprentice/spy who plays wearing the flags of my enemies. Them and I only communicate in person) though I may "dance around" some subjects.”

 

I’m impressed by his coherent use of parentheses and slashes, so I ask, “Is KL ever an outlet for your creative side?”

 

“KL is most definitely a source of creativity for me. It keeps my creative juices flowing!  I am a creative writer/poet/artist but I do not share these things with my KL family. My artistic endeavors are more personal to me,” he says.

 

I look at my notes and then ask, “Your Palringo name is different from the KL name. Why is that?”

 

“I'm called Master Luthier there because I play more than one game and I teach lutherie. My students and apprentices contact me there as well.  That's me in the picture answering your questions.”

 

I say, “So, it’s a case of real world overlapping with the chat world overlapping with the KL world (and others).  Sweeeet!”

 

I continue, “One of the big elements for many KL players is whether to join a clan.  Seeing that red dot makes me think your clan affiliation is important to you.”

 

“I have joined one clan on KL and have never changed. We are The Everchosen. The reason for joining was for a big ‘F.U.’ to the anti-farming clans who had labeled me a "farmer," when (at the time) I didn't even know what ‘farming’ was.”

 

“Just a few more questions Master Dark Elf Luthier V…”

 

“Dark Elf V will do,” he says.

 

“Oh yeah.  Well one more question.  Has being in a clan meant that you reach out to others for strategy or help?”

 

“I do sometimes find myself unsure and reach out for advice as any intelligent person would do. And I take the advice with a grain of salt as I would never completely trust someone who has never looked me fully in the eyes, ” he says.

I quickly look at him fully in the eyes.  I never know when I might need some advice myself.

 

I gather my mauls, sappy boots, and notes.  Dark Elf V has never fully stopped from his lute playing throughout the interview.  And, he doesn’t stop as I bid him goodbye, and for that I’m grateful.  I find myself humming as I return to the elfy, scratchy, woody environs around me.  “Not a bad elf,” I say to myself as I head home.

 

Back in the real world, as I write up this post, I recall some KL experiences of my own with Dark Elf V.  He was very helpful to me and my clan members of the Praetorian Guard in helping us be one of the last team entries in the Kill-A-Thon on January 16^th. 

 

Just this weekend, too, he was helpful in battling a newbie jerk of a player who bountied me for no apparent reason.  I thought to post on Dark Elf V’s wall for some help, and darned if he didn’t actually help me out.  Not in my clan, unknown to me in RL, but a chum nevertheless in KL.  And, of course his help led to him being  bountied as well.  Here we are on the BL at the same time!

  

Speaking of chums, I have some openings in the weeks ahead to do more interviews.  As most all my interviewees have discovered, answering the questions can be surprising and pretty fun. 

 

See my post “Story Salt” for the questions, send me your answers at generalcandel@gmail.com  and you can seek me out in my Palringo group ‘candel’s coterie on kingdoms live’. 

Comments

[Pratorious]

Ha! Never realized that was what Master Luthier stood for. Good read, I talk to ML usually at least once every three days and never knew that.

[General Candel]

Glad you learned something new about Dark Elf V. When someone we thought we knew, reveals something we didn't know, it is quite a surprise.

I wonder what YOU would reveal if you decided to let me interview you?

[Pratorious]

I'll do an interview. Do I just answer the questions and email the answers to you, or do you just make some in palringo or what? Also, it probably wouldn't be good to post two consecutive EC interviews in a row...variety is good :P

[Brian]

I have tons of codes for all the Storm8 Games; iMobsters, Vampires Live, Ninjas Live, Racing Live, Rock Battle Live, World War, Kingdoms Live, Pets Live, Zombies Live as well as Guides to Pocket Empires.

All is FREE!

http://www.direct-2you.com/storm8